# NTSB NYC96LA110: Piper PA-28-161, N38890, Monticello, NY, May 20, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 20, 1996, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Monticello, NY - Coordinates: 41.65047, -74.679054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6505&lon=-74.6791&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39184 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39184/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA110 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and her delay in aborting the landing. The gusty crosswind condition was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - aborted ## Analysis The student pilot was on the return portion of a solo cross-country flight, when she encountered gusty wind conditions. She obtained local weather information, which reported that the winds were gusting to 16 knots. She planned to conduct a landing to runway 01. During the landing attempt, the airplane touched down and bounced, and the student applied power to go around. The student stated that 'By the time I applied throttle for a go-around, a wind gust must have picked up my left wing . . .' She reported that after the left wing came up, the airplane went upside down and slid down the runway. The student reported that there was no malfunction with the airplane. About 7 miles northwest at the Sullivan County Airport, the 0956 edt wind was from 290 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts to 21 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 1996, about 0900 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N38890, was destroyed when it collided with the ground during landing at the Monticello Airport, Monticello, New York. The student pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Newburgh, New York. No flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported that she obtained a weather briefing for a solo cross country flight from Monticello to Newburgh. Prior to departure the intended flight was discussed with her instructor. The pilot then stated: "On my return flight, I ran into gusting winds so [I] listened to the local AWOS whose final report I heard was wind gusting 16 [knots]. I determined to make one attempt at landing [to runway 01], or if running into difficulties, to make a go-around and fly to Sullivan County Airport (MSV) as taught. By the time I applied throttle for a go-around, a wind gust must have picked up my left wing, for I was sliding on the side of the runway upside down." The pilot also reported that there were no malfunctions with the airplane. The pilot had a total flight experience of about 56 hours, of which 10 were solo. According to the Airport Facility Directory, runway 01 at Monticello was a 2,845 foot long, 31 foot wide runway. The automated weather observation system at MSV, 7 miles northwest of the accident site, at 0956, reported the winds from 290 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts to 21 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38890](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38890-1999-02-18), registration cancelled 1999-02-18, S/N 28-7716284 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7716284 - Airframe hours: 5150 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tlm Aircraft Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 5, 1996, 60 hours before - Departed: SWF, NEWBURGH, NY - Destination: N37 - Airport: N37, Monticello, runway 1, 2,845 × 31 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 57 total, 57 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 15 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MSV, 8 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960520010969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960520010969A), May 20, 1996: Piper PA28161, Monticello, NY, Destroyed. Crosswind exceeded pilots and aircraft capabilities. Flipped over landing. Slid to a stop on side of runway. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.